If it has yet not to more filed has, then we need to search for the causes, go new ways and above all, always stand up. The identity-creating effect of capital of culture has folded. Here was jointly worked together celebrated together suffered, paid. “Fritz Pleitgen has concern that the restoration of the spires” indentation stops again. That’s right.

Work has namely still does not, that the political and administrative system of the Ruhr metropolis is brought closer together and to become leaner and more effective. Work has not yet that we are perceived from the outside as a single economic area. Folded hasn’t yet, we harness potential of individual cities in economy, science, education, culture and recreation for the entire metropolitan area. Folded which has can not, be also still that through new forms of inter-municipal cooperation billion tax dollars can be saved, for development, education and science. Call not just after money from federal and State.

Us savings are also possible. So celebrated in the Northern Ruhr area of the District of Recklinghausen recently a sense of achievement. After long years and a presentation by the President of the Government, a 10-point programme to strengthen cooperation of all district cities fire protection, road construction, staff management, the alien beings and the measurement by the bodies will be adopted now. With all due respect, only crumbs, making fed up not in the region are given the situation. (Note: I me there with regard to the criticism does not exclude.) Since you and must practice more cooperation in overcoming existing structures not only in the Northern Ruhr area. Whether you make it under the banner of the Ruhr metropolis or a region of Ruhr town, is this totally unimportant. Who as a politically responsible actor-angesichts of the current location for the future not to enhanced cooperation ready which is hunted who makes to sole scale the importance of own office chair here, is part of the citizens from the Office. It concerns their future. And the various rankings and the positive experience with Ruhr2010 make anything clear. The petty landsmannschaftliche Gegrummel we are Rhinelanders we Westphalia, we even Sauerlander or Munsterlander helps none at all. Adds no value. Damages only. We have had success as citizens of the Ruhr region with the capital of the culture precisely because of our community work. Everyone in the region can benefit. This gives self-confidence and confidence in their own skills, no matter whether one has Rhenish or Westphalian roots. Jochen world